Neurofeedback and induction of an immune response

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method for inducing an immune response in a subject, including a step of activating neurons in the mesolimbic network of the subject by applying a neurofeedback.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for increasing vaccination efficacy in a subject administered therewith, comprising the step of activating a mesolimbic neuron in said subject by applying a neurofeedback prior to vaccination of said subject, thereby increasing the vaccination efficacy in the vaccinated subject. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said mesolimbic neuron is located in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), the bilateral ventral striatum (VS), or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said activating a mesolimbic neuron comprises co-activating a neuron located in the VTA and a neuron located in the VS. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said increased vaccination efficacy comprises increased concentration, titer, biological half-life, amount, or any combination thereof, of antibodies in the plasma of the neurofeedback applied subject, compared to control. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein said vaccination efficacy is determined based on an antibody concentration in the plasma, an antibody biological half-life in the plasma, or a combination thereof, compared to control. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said neurofeedback comprises electroencephalography, functional magnetic resonance imaging, functional near-infrared spectrometry, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, functional magnetic resonance spectrometry, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject is afflicted with an immunodeficient disease. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject is afflicted with an infectious disease. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject is afflicted with cancer. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein said infectious disease is a viral disease. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising vaccinating said subject after said applying. 
     
     
       12. A method for treating a subject afflicted with an immunodeficiency the method comprising: (i) activating a mesolimbic neuron in said subject by applying a neurofeedback; and (ii) vaccinating the subject of (i), thereby treating the subject afflicted with the immunodeficiency. 
     
     
       13. A method for increasing vaccination efficacy in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising: (i) selecting a subject having previously been applied with neurofeedback to a mesolimbic neuron; and (ii) vaccinating the subject of (i), thereby increasing the vaccination efficacy in the subject.